2026 New Features Guide: The Future of European Theme Parks Unveiled

2026: The Year of Total Immersion and European Renewal

The landscape of amusement parks in Europe is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. For us, at Park Trips, 2026 is not just a year of new attractions; it is the culmination of colossal projects that redefine industry standards. From the English Channel coasts to the Vosges peaks, passing through the Belgian plains and Southern France, parks are no longer content with just adding rides: they are creating worlds. This exhaustive guide is designed for enthusiasts and families who want to plan their 2026 season with surgical precision.

Disneyland Paris: The Metamorphosis into Disney Adventure World

The major event of the decade for Disneyland Paris will materialize on March 29, 2026. The second park is changing its identity to become Disney Adventure World. This rebranding is accompanied by the opening of Adventure Bay, a 70,000 m³ lake that will serve as a central pivot for future lands. The star new attraction is the World of Frozen. Visitors will be able to explore the kingdom of Arendelle and embark on Frozen Ever After, an immersive boat ride from Intamin featuring the latest generation Audio-Animatronics®. To complete the offering, the Tangled Spin ride (Zamperla teacups themed to Rapunzel) will open on the lake shores, offering an enchanted interlude before the monumental nighttime show mixing fountains, lights, and drones.

Festyland: The Flight of Valkyrie, a Historic Investment

The Normandy park located near Caen is making a big splash with Valkyrie, a new attraction costing over 4 million euros that marks a spectacular upscale move. For 2026, Festyland has chosen the reference manufacturer Vekoma to install a Family Boomerang Coaster. With a spire culminating at 27 meters high and a 460-meter track, passengers will experience the ride moving forward and then backward at 65 km/h. The integration is total: the train will fly over the pathways of the Vikland zone, offering a unique point of view. It is the perfect alliance between accessible thrills (from 1.05m tall) and Viking storytelling, confirming Festyland's place among the great regional French parks.

Bagatelle: North Storm, the Nordic Storm of the 70th Anniversary

Bagatelle, the oldest French park, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026 with remarkable boldness. The Côte d'Opale park is inaugurating North Storm, a major investment located in the maritime zone. This attraction, a Power Ride supplied by Zamperla, offers an eventful flight experience simulating a longship storm in the middle of the North Sea. The gondolas pivot on several axes, offering intense sensations of tilting and acceleration. Beyond the ride, Bagatelle focuses on immersive theming with fog and wind effects, transforming this zone into a genuine Viking port tormented by the elements.

Fraispertuis City: A New Coaster for the Mexican Zone

Fraispertuis City, the Vosges park beloved by enthusiasts for its exemplary "homemade" theming, continues to expand its universe. In 2026, the park will inaugurate a new Family Roller Coaster signed by Gerstlauer. This project comes to revitalize the already rich Mexican zone. True to its reputation, the Fleurent family is offering a fluid, fast-paced track here, yet accessible from 1m or 1.05m, ideal for transitioning before the intense thrills of Timber Drop. Attention to detail will be present with mineral decorations and landscape integration that will make visitors forget the technical aspects in favor of adventure.

Pairi Daiza: Edenya, the World's Largest Tropical Greenhouse

Pairi Daiza pushes the limits of biological engineering with Edenya. For a colossal investment of 100 million euros, this project will become the largest tropical greenhouse in the world under a pillarless glass dome in 2026. Much more than a zoo, it is an all-season "resort" destination. The major new feature for park fans is the integration of an indoor water ride. Visitors will navigate through a lush jungle, observing animals in semi-freedom within a regulated tropical climate. It is a total sensory immersion that positions Pairi Daiza as a global leader in immersive nature experiences.

Parc Spirou Provence: Konoha Land and the Naruto Universe

Parc Spirou changes dimension by welcoming one of the most powerful manga franchises in the world: Naruto. In 2026, the Konoha Land zone will open its doors across 15,000 m². The flagship attraction, Naruto Unchained, is a Family Re-Launch Coaster from Zamperla. With a magnetic launch (LSM) propelling the cars at 75 km/h and a rollback spike, thrills will be guaranteed. The land will also offer a themed Nebulaz and a faithful reproduction of the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant, creating a must-see pilgrimage for Shonen fans in Europe.

Parc du Bocasse: Pendulonium and the Steampunk Development

Parc du Bocasse continues its impressive thematic modernization. In 2026, two major new attractions will open. Pendulonium, a Wild Swing from manufacturer ART Engineering, will offer swinging sensations 12 meters high in a meticulously crafted steampunk universe. Additionally, Becastor, a Mini-Log Flume (logs for children) from Bear Ride, will allow the youngest visitors to experience their first aquatic thrills on the theme of beaver builders. These investments confirm the Normandy park's strategy of offering high visual quality experiences for the whole family.

Holiday Park (Germany): The 100% Wolf Zone

The German park of the Plopsa group continues its radical transformation. While awaiting the Tomorrowland coaster in 2027, 2026 will be the year of 100% Wolf. This new themed zone based on the Freddy Lupin franchise will offer a Family Coaster from manufacturer Gerstlauer. Designed for children from 1m tall, this coaster will be the heart of a fully immersive land adopting the urban and fantastic codes of the series. This is a key step to rejuvenate the offering of the Haßloch park.

Parc Saint Paul: Interactivity with the Flying Scooters

Parc Saint Paul remains true to its DNA as a family and fun park. In 2026, it welcomes the Flying Scooters (likely from Larson or Zamperla). This classic but timeless attraction allows passengers to influence the flight of their vehicle thanks to a sail. This is the type of interactive experience we love at Park Trips, as it allows each visitor to customize their ride, oscillating between peaceful flight and aerial acrobatics above the Oise park.

OK Corral: Tomahawk Arrives in the South

France's most famous western park, OK Corral, strengthens its "thrill" sector in May 2026 with Tomahawk. This oscillating pendulum thrill ride promises powerful acceleration and dizzying viewpoints. Located in Cuges-les-Pins, the park continues to modernize its infrastructure while preserving its unique atmosphere and cowboy shows. The Tomahawk is clearly aimed at teenagers seeking G-forces before trying out the legendary Pioneer.

Bellewaerde: The Renaissance of the Canada Zone

Bellewaerde Park is investing 10 million euros to transform its Canadian sector. In 2026, the major new attraction is a Wild Swing from ART Engineering. With 24 seats and intense swinging movement without inversion, it promises free-fall sensations accessible to all. The park is also adding a 300-meter-long adventure course for an active experience in the forest, reinforcing the Belgian park's "nature and thrills" positioning.

Futuroscope: Unprecedented Experiences for 2026

Futuroscope continues its momentum following the success of Chasseurs de Tornades (Tornado Hunters). For 2026, the park plans new immersive experiences whose details remain partially secret but which are part of the "Vision 2025-2030" development plan. We anticipate cutting-edge technologies mixing 4K projections and physical effects, confirming the Vienne park's status as a leader in technological innovation in Europe.

Summary Table: The New Attractions Not to Miss in 2026

Park Trips Analysis: Why is 2026 a Pivotal Year?

Observation of the European market shows a clear trend: the end of "catalogue" parks in favor of "destination" parks. Even human-scale structures like Fraispertuis City or Le Bocasse are investing in theming to offer a global experience. The battle between manufacturers is raging: Zamperla dominates licenses (Naruto, Bagatelle), while Vekoma and Gerstlauer consolidate the qualitative family segment. For us, the Edenya project at Pairi Daiza is the UFO of the year, while the shift to Disney Adventure World will launch a new era for European tourism.

Get your annual passes ready! 2026 will be a busy year for vlogs, tests, and emotions. Find all wait times and community reviews in real-time on our Park Trips application. See you soon at the parks!